Forecast

Bethel affordable housing building proposed

Julia Perkins| on
July 10, 2018

BETHEL — The Planning and Zoning Commission was expected to table a public hearing Tuesday evening on an affordable housing proposal.

The public hearing was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on the application to build a 12-unit housing complex at 10 Nashville Road Extension. Three of those units would be considered affordable, according to meeting minutes.

Town Planner Beth Cavagna said the commission planned to table the public hearing because it was still waiting for information from the fire marshal about the project.

The fire marshal had sent a memo to the commission last month saying he was concerned fire crews would not be able to reach the back of some of the units. He also said a fire truck would not be able to turn around at the end of the road.

The engineer told the commission at a meeting last month that a revised plan should address these problems, according to the minutes.

Codfish Hill Construction and DeMarco Holdings have applied under state statute 8-30g, which prevents towns from rejecting affordable housing proposals for reasons other than health and safety.

Cavagna said some neighbors have asked the developers adjust the plan so that their properties would be shielded from the development.

“It’s my understanding that the developer is working with the neighbors to resolve any concerns they may have,” Cavagna said.

The plan is to market the housing to residents 55 and older, according to the minutes.